Two women arrested in Utrecht for dating fraud causing €550,000 in losses
Two women from Utrecht were arrested on Wednesday after dozens of reports alleging that they had committed dating fraud. The two women caused a combined 550,000 euros in damage, with around 26 people reported as victims.
A police investigation into the women, aged 26 and 41, was launched in June 2025. Victim reports began in June 2022, with the most recent report submitted in September 2025.
Victims were targeted through a dating platform. The perpetrators first built relationships with them and then attempted to obtain money or goods using fake names or false information. Interactions occurred both online and in person.
Victims were often coerced into making multiple payments, such as buying items at several stores during in-person meetings, which frequently involved several people, police stated.
Police seized jewelry, cash, and a car during searches of three properties in the Utrecht region.
Dating fraud has been a significant issue in the Netherlands for years. The CCV, the Dutch Central Bureau for Crime Prevention, reported that 7 million euros worth of damage due to dating fraud occurred in the Netherlands in 2023. The average loss per victim was 30,000 euros, and a total of 264 people reported being victims.
In 2024, reports indicated that the number of victims of dating-related investment fraud was rising. Although dating fraud is underreported, studies show that many victims do not report the crime out of shame.
Dating sites like Tinder have teamed up with safety organizations (CCV, Fraud Helpdesk) to run campaigns educating users on how to recognize dating fraud. Preventive measures include in-app tips (such as “Verify your date”), checking profile photos using Google Images, and promoting video chats to confirm identities.
